Meaning & Origins

Of uncertain origin: possibly an altered short form of Linda, or a derivative of the French name Line, which originated as a short form of various girls' names ending in this syllable, for example Caroline. The element -lyn(n) has been a productive suffix of English girls' names since at least the middle of the 20th century, Lynn itself having enjoyed considerable popularity in the 1950s and 60s, especially.

Japanese: topographical name meaning ‘(one who lives) within the moat’; it is also (less commonly) pronounced Horinouchi. Some bearers descend from the Seiwa-Genji though the Funaki family; others from the Kumano family. The surname is found throughout Japan.